Islamabad: The Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs expressed strong disapproval on Monday towards a U.S. proposal that suggests the relocation of Palestinians from Gaza to neighboring countries. The committee decided to draft a resolution condemning the U.S. government’s plan, which will be presented in the Senate for approval.

According to a statement by Press Information Department, the decision follows a recent briefing by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which revealed that the U.S. President has proposed relocating Palestinians from Gaza to countries such as Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. Senator Irfan ul Haque Siddiqui, chairing the committee meeting, questioned the Pakistani government’s strategy in response to this proposal and emphasized the need for a comprehensive plan to reject it.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed the committee that the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), in collaboration with the Arab League, intends to host a joint summit to discuss diplomatic countermeasures to the U.S. plan. The committee supported the ministry’s recommendation to draft a resolution against the proposal, highlighting the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Since the conflict’s escalation on October 7, 2023, at least 61,709 people have died in Gaza, with 17,492 children among the casualties. In the West Bank, 905 deaths have been reported, including 181 children. The committee stressed the importance of a united stance on the Palestinian issue and called for international intervention to protect innocent lives.

The Senate Committee also addressed recent developments, including the exchange of prisoners as part of a ceasefire agreement and issues surrounding visa restrictions for Pakistanis. In addition, the committee sought information regarding the abduction of a Pakistani girl in South Africa and emphasized the need for a detailed update on the matter.

The meeting, attended by several senators and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also covered comments made by Richard Grenell, a U.S. Presidential Envoy, and efforts to repatriate survivors of a Moroccan boat tragedy. The committee scheduled further discussions on Pakistan-Afghanistan relations for its next meeting.